A different twist on winterizing?

[veritas honus]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

that too much hose, just run it to florida and you will be safe!!! vertas you have a great sense of humor and you took it like a champ,i didnt realize you were in carolinas, i thought you were up north and were going to keep pumping all winter, your making the right choice draining and winterizing

I'm in Southwest Georgia. The winter here (If that's what you want to call it...), only lasts several weeks. The "calendar winter" doesn't really apply here.

 

[superpop]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

I have plumbed a half inch ball valve to each of my four drains in motor and manifolds. I can have my motor and manis drained in about a minute. That seems much easier than messing with the set up you are contemplating. Super easy to do and would let you use the boat year round.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

I have plumbed a half inch ball valve to each of my four drains in motor and manifolds. I can have my motor and manis drained in about a minute. That seems much easier than messing with the set up you are contemplating. Super easy to do and would let you use the boat year round.

Now THERE"S an idea!!! I'm still going to do a full winterization every year. I'll still pull the outdrive to inspect and replace what needs to be replaced, and clean and lube what's necessarry; but I love your solution. I'll add to that an 8' piece of tubing with a 1/2" slip fitting on one end to attach to the ball valve and run it right through the bilge drain hole to a catch bucket on the ground. It'll hardly take up any storage space when not in use.
Thank you!!!

Safe and happy boating!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Now THERE"S an idea!!! I'll add to that an 8' piece of tubing with a 1/2" slip fitting on one end to attach to the ball valve and run it right through the bilge drain hole to a catch bucket on the ground.

Ayuh,... That's a really, Really, Bad Idea...

With 8' of hose attached to the drains,...
You Won't be able to poke a screw or nail into 'em to knock the Crud outa the way to let the water drain....

That's the Same reason Merc's single point drain system leads to Cracked blocks...

 

[veritas honus]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Ayuh,... That's a really, Really, Bad Idea...

With 8' of hose attached to the drains,...
You Won't be able to poke a screw or nail into 'em to knock the Crud outa the way to let the water drain....

That's the Same reason Merc's single point drain system leads to Cracked blocks...

Noted... And thank you. After doing a full winterization, including knocking the crud out of everywhere, just to drain the motor after a winter run on the water, do you think that such a setup would be OK? I'll probably use the boat 5-6 times throughout the several weeks of "winter" here.

 

[superpop]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

on my motor the two ball valves have a 4" nipple between the block and the valve, you can still get a hanger in the passage to clear any debris, this gets the water out and away from the starter as it drains and also makes the valve handle easy to move. Same with the Manis although they have an elbow as they exit the rear of the manifold. You don't need the hose, just let the water drain into your bilge and out the hole, simple and easy. You still need to do maint but this would give you the simple interim step you are looking for.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

repower with an outboard. Your temps are like ours. I don't need to do anything for the winter, although I lower the motor when the weather might go well below freezing. Many boaters on my creek do not even do that, and have had no problems.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Thanks for the replies, Guys. I think I've got it now. The hoses are really no trouble to simply disconnect and drain. I can't figure out where to mount an outboard to my integrated swim platform, so I guess I'll just have to suck it up and drive on with my I/O. She purrs like a kitten and screams like an eagle. Beautifully maintained for nineteen years and runs like Brand Spanking New.

Safe and happy boating always!!!